LANZAROTE 1 CP VILLAROBLEDO 1, 20th May 2018,

LANZAROTE   1   CP VILLAROBLEDO   1,   20^th May 2018, 

The Rojillos came back to level after being a goal down in the first half to give themselves a fighting chance of winning this two legged quarter final for promotion to Segunda B (Third Tier) in a highly entertaining match.

By far Lanzarote´s biggest crowd of the season with 2500 souls created a wonderful atmosphere inside the Arrecife stadium.

The game took just 15 seconds to spring into life. Lanzarote had barely finished their warm up when they gave the ball carelessly away in midfield. Striker Piojo pounced on the mistake and had a clear strike at goal from 12 yards, the ball came back off the far right hand post and fell invitingly for his fellow striker Aitor to tap home from eight yards with the goal at his mercy, fortunately for Lanzarote´s point of view he managed to hit the crossbar and the ball flew to safety. An unbelievable let off for Rojillos manager Maxi Barrera´s men.

Needless to say the side from Albacete in Spain had settled well and for the next five minutes Lanzarote were held against the ropes.

In the 4^th minute Aitor once again fired in a stinging shot forcing Rojillos keeper Sasha into an excellent diving save to his left to palm the ball away for a corner.

Lanzarote began to find their feet and in the 8^th minute number 10 Borja weaved his way free in midfield and chipped over a pass to the left hand corner of the box to Alex Cruz. The Lanzarote winger arrived to the ball momentarily before the keeper Javi López, however the Villarobledo Captain managed to smother the ball.

On the half hour Lanzarote were awarded a free kick on the right hand side of the 18 yard box. Midfielder Enrique Castaño fired in a dipping free kick and the Villarobledo keeper produced a stunning diving save to his near post and cleared the ball to safety.

Seconds later the ball was up the other end and winger Fran Minaya found himself free eight yards from goal but his first touch was poor which allowed Sasha to narrow the angle and block his strike.

The Rojillos were looking much better in midfield with Javi Betancort, Enrique Castaño, Borja and Captain Ayoze Pérez finally on the same wavelength and began passing the ball around with ease.

In the final action of the first half a hopeful ball was pumped into Lanzarote territory, the Rojillos defence didn’t react assertively and Aitor managed to get around the back of the defence and cleverly toe poked a chip into the far left hand corner leaving Lanzarote´s 19 year old keeper Sasha with no chance.

The referee didn’t even restart the match and blew immediately for half time with the Rojillos going into the break in shock trailing 0-1.

Six minutes into the second half and the visitors again showed why they were their leagues highest scorers when a tremendous header by defender Pedro from 12 yards bounced off the top of the bar and away for a goal kick.

Midway through the first half the tempo and emotions started to rise. A strike from Piojo from the edge of the area was deflected inches wide of the Lanzarote right hand post and a couple of minutes later Sasha produced an excellent save with his left foot from six yards to prevent the visitors doubling their lead.

The crowd were urging their side forward and in the 76^th minute a cross from the left by Enrique Castaño fell to Trujillo on the far post, the Lanzarote striker had only been on the pitch two minutes but stroked the ball past the Villarobledo keeper from close range to level the score at 1-1.

Lanzarote were now firmly in control and in the 83rd minute a great cross from the hardworking Rosmen saw Trujillo darting through the centre timing his leap to perfection but his neatly guided headed effort shaved the right hand post and away for a goal kick.

With just three minutes remaining the Rojillos had another great opportunity to take a lead into next Sundays second leg when Josito swung a dangerous cross into the six yard box, sub Gastón did well to lose his marker but his side footed effort went wide of the left hand post. It could have been a wonderful present for the now 20 year old who celebrated his birthday the day before the match.

The team 150 kilometres from Madrid weathered the storm and were grateful to hear the final whistle. Whilst this wasn’t the perfect result for Lanzarote but it won’t be easy for the mainland club next Sunday. Do they defend the away goal or come out in force for the second and third goals? Lanzarote simply have to score. If the game remains goalless Villarobledo will head into the semi finals, if it were to be 2-2 then Lanzarote would book their place in the semi final.

Many Lanzarote fans managed to watch the game on the live stream on Youtube. Again next Sunday the game will be shown live courtesy of Lancelot Television so if you wish to watch the match go on Facebook Lanzarote football club and I will confirm time and link later in the week.

GOALS

0-1 min 45 Aitor

1-1 min 76 Trujillo